Our Father

 In Guest posts

From Tammy: I am excited to introduce you to my friend, Pilar, who is guest posting today. She is a writer, Mom, and book reviewer. She is passionate about books, music, and cooking. She is incredibly encouraging, and I have loved getting to know her better. You can follow her on Twitter, or check out her blog here. Welcome, Pilar!

I learned the “Our Father” prayer as a child.  I had to memorize it for my catechism classes.

Our Father, Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name…

You know the rest.

Although I never really thought about the words as I prayed.  I would always get stuck on the Our Father part.

I remember attending a meeting and someone praying.  They gushed as they said, ‘Papa God’. I remember cringing.  I never quite heard anyone refer to God the Father as their Papa.

I left the meeting feeling uncomfortable.

I never once cringed at the word Jesus.  I love Jesus.  I mean, how can you not love Jesus?

He doesn’t come across as distant or intimidating.

So I began to reflect on my past for answers.  I started thinking about my childhood, specifically my relationship with my father.

I love my dad and understand him more today than I ever did.

However, if I’m going to keep it real, he wasn’t around very much.  And when he was around, he wasn’t particularly warm and fuzzy.

On the contrary, he was moody, intimidating and distant.

Suddenly, it clicked.  I realized I was comparing my Heavenly father to my earthly father.  As if they were one and the same.

Photo credit: Creative Commons

So, if I wasn’t close to my own father, what made me think I’m going to be close to my heavenly father?

I mean, imagine trying to be close to someone you’re intimidated by?  Is it possible to be intimate or get to know someone if you are afraid of them?

The answer is obvious.

So how did I resolve this dilemma?  I’m still working on it.

I decided I would commit to reading the bible every day. This way I could change my thinking and get to know Him better.

I’ve also been praying for healing in this area as well.

It’s a process, but I’m grateful to be further along than I was.

What about you?  Do you struggle with your perception of God as Father?

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Showing 15 comments
  • Heidi Kreider
    Reply

    a beautiful post, Pilar… again!

    • Pilar Arsenec
      Reply

      Thank you so much Heidi. I appreciate your taking the time to read my posts. Means a lot to me. 🙂

  • Andrea Cumbo
    Reply

    While I am been blessed to have an AMAZING father here, I know so many people who feel as you do, Pilar. It’s one of the reasons I really encourage all of us to use lots of ways of referring to God – Mother, friend, confidant, protector – all those ways that the Bible refers to God apply.

    Prayers that all the healing you need will come quickly, my friend.

    • Pilar Arsenec
      Reply

      Thank you Andi, you are so wonderful. I am honestly so blessed to know you. Thank you for your guidance, kindness, gentleness and love as I’m learning how to swim.

  • Pilar Arsenec
    Reply

    Tammy, thank you for the honor of guest posting for you. I am so blessed to call you friend.

    • susie finney
      Reply

      Good one Pilar! You write well! I’ve had to learn to think of God as a Father more too, but thankfully I always had a good relationship with my Dad, so I think that really helped.

      • Pilar Arsenec
        Reply

        Thank you for your kind words Susie. I’m so glad you have a goo relationship with your dad. What a blessing!

    • Tammy Helfrich
      Reply

      Thank you for guest posting! I am blessed to call you friend as well!

  • Caris Adel
    Reply

    I think I do think of him like my dad in some ways – like if I don’t talk to him for awhile, I know he’ll still be there, and be just as loving as always…makes it easy to be laidback about both relationships, which isn’t always a good thing.

    • Pilar Arsenec
      Reply

      I think it’s nice though, you have that sense of security… 🙂

  • Dana Pittman
    Reply

    The Word will bring about a renewing of your mind. It will allow your mind to understand what your spirit knows. Great post Pilar!

    • Pilar Arsenec
      Reply

      Thank you sis. I’m trying to get that word into my mind and spirit. 🙂

  • Trudy Metzger
    Reply

    Bless you, Pilar! You are an inspiration! Daring to walk a path courageously, in spite of the difficulty. Excellent post!

  • Leigh Hudson
    Reply

    Pilar,
    As a Christian counselor, I come across folks every day who experience God the way they do their earthly father. I certainly know its true for me. One of my core beliefs is that I’m going to be “in trouble.” I project this onto God, which causes me to want to hide so as to not get in trouble. I realize this is completely irrational. Emotions are neither right nor wrong. Good or bad they just “are” so I remind myself God isn’t mad at me. He’s waiting with open arms saying “come here and let me love you!”

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